Formal requirements
South Korea does not currently offer a golden visa or citizenship by investment program.
Other investment opportunities
1. Long term visa by investment (D-8 visa)
If a foreign national is eligible for any of the following, he/she may be permitted to stay in the Republic of Korea (“Korea”) for 91 days or more by investing in a Korean company:
D-8-1 Visa. A foreign investor as defined under the FIPA, Foreign Investment Promotion Act, in Korea. For instance, a foreign national may qualify for D-8-1 visa if he/she acquires a certain number of shares in a Korean company by investing KRW 100 million or more;
D-8-2 Visa. Incorporation of a venture company pursuant to the Special Measures Act on the Promotion of Venture Businesses in Korea;
D-8-3 Visa. Becoming a joint representative director of a company operated by a Korean individual by investing KRW 100 million or more; or
D-8-4 Visa. Being recognized as a technology startup founder based upon his/her technology.
When issuing an investment visa, proving the source of funds for investment would be a crucial part of the process and minimum 1 year to maximum 5 years of stay period would be granted depending upon the size of the investment. Please note that such visa may be extended based on business performance.
The spouse and/or minor children of a D-8 visa holder may reside in Korea with the visa holder till the expiry of stay period of the visa holder by getting an accompanying family visa. Additionally, they will also be provided with preferential Korean immigration services.
2. PR by large investment and employment creation (F-5 visa)
A foreign high-net-worth investor may apply for permanent residency through large investment in Korea.
To be specific, a foreign national is eligible for F-5-5 visa (granting permanent residency) if he/she (i) incorporates a foreign-invested company in Korea by making a minimum investment of USD 500,000; and (ii) creates full-time employment for at least 5 qualified Korean workers for 6 months or more.
Please note, however, that to be qualified for F-5-5 visa, equivalent to permanent residency, obtaining D-8-1 visa must precede (meaning, you must first obtain D-8-1 visa before applying for F-5-5 visa). Furthermore, the applicant must also show concrete evidence of certain requirements relating to employment of Koreans such as the employees’ certificate of income, four statutory social insurances and full-time employment.
Generally, to acquire a Korean permanent resident card, income review, participation in a social integration program, satisfaction of Korean proficiency requirement, submission of a copy of a criminal record certificate are required; however, the aforesaid requirements will be waived for a F-5-5 visa holder.
Link to the Korea Visa Portal